Windy day in the Arizona desert

A cold wind blows across the desert.

The plan for today was to move camp to the BLM land over by North Ranch, the Escapee park. You may have read on The Bayfield Bunch blog about this huge, boondocking area. Al and Kelly invited the crew and me to try it.

However, with the wind whipping through here like it is, I don’t want to go outside, let alone hitch up and tow. One thing I always avoid is towing my Casita in wind. I don’t want a scrambled egg! Maybe tomorrow we’ll move there.

It doesn’t matter what the weather, the crew must go out.

Wearing my Nanuck of the North coat zipped up to my nose and with the hood up, I walk the crew over to the cluster of motorhomes and tents nearby.

I feel sorry for the tent people. No one is around and one of their two tents is flat to the ground and the other valiantly fighting the wind. Spike, of course, wants to go sniff their belongings so I have to yank him to break his determination.

I’m curious what is on the other side of this camping area.

I suspect there are more trails over there. This windy day is a good time to check it out, because no one is outside. We find two wide trails and investigate one. It leads to three really nice campsites, one with a big palo verde.

Bridget tires of walking in the wind and gives me her please-can-we-go-home look, while Spike pulls on the leash to keep exploring. Bridget wins, because I’m ready to get back into our comfy, little house with the sun streaming through the windows and no wind!

One of the things I’ve come to love about the desert is the sunshine every day. No matter how cold or windy, there’s usually an abundance of sunbeams reaching the PTV’s panel.

At this camp I’ve identified the following birds from our windows or on our walks: cactus wren, curve-bill thrasher, gila woodpecker, verdin (so cute with his yellow head!), northern mockingbird, black-throated sparrow (one of my favorites), phainopepla, and quail (heard but not seen).

How will we spend the day inside?

I need to prepare bags of the greens I bought yesterday. I’ll wash the lettuce and spinach, and trim off the stems and bad parts. I also have radishes and zucchini to clean. I’ll put this together in freezer bags which will keep it all crisp in the fridge for a long time.

I’ll do some cooking. I haven’t decided yet what I’ll cook, but I’ve got loads of groceries to choose from!

I’ll get online several times throughout the day. There’s always the kindle for reading and mahjongg, my favorite kindle game. And I can vegetate, watching Judge Judy on TV. Not to mention all the cuddling with the crew and our late afternoon walk . . . . brrrrr! Or I’ll sit and watch the birds, chipmunks, and jackrabbits scurrying about outside our window.

Thanks to those of you who comment on my blog.

I do enjoy hearing what you have to say. I feel a bit guilty for not commenting on other people’s blogs. By the time I write my blog, read comments, and reply, I need to get away from the computer! I do visit your blogs and enjoy the great variety of adventures and writing styles.

Boy I can sure relate, it is windy and cold here also. I can certainly understand waiting until it is a bit nicer to move on to your new camp, no fun trying to set stuff up in the wind. Enjoy the your time in the Casita, preparing your groceries, and soaking up the sunshine through the windows. Sounds like a wonderful day to me. www/tripswithtwo.com/blog/.

You make it that much easier to take the leap for newbies like myself. I was referred to your blog link by another happy camper. 🙂 I too am self entertaining and don’t get lonely. I get it. It took a while, but it finally sank! (Thank goodness too!) I’m heading out, for the first time, at the end of next month. Also retired. I’m so looking forward to it, and learning all the neat little tips along the way. I really can hardly wait. I’ve sold my home too.
Thanks so much for your blogs, they help tremendously. They help more than you’ll probably ever know and they give lots of encouragement to those who have only dreamed of living happily and peacefully along the land, or water for that matter. I look forward to my new adventures and learning. I have a camera too! “Cheers, and Happy Trails to you.” 🙂

It sounds like we’re kindred spirits — self-entertaining — don’t get lonely — wanting to live “happily and peacefully along the land or water…” You jump in the deep end, like I did, selling the house and moving on to new horizons.

I’m excited for you, heading out soon for the first time. It’s going to be one of your greatest memories, I promise! And I’m very glad you find my blog helpful. The best of luck to you . . . Be sure to tell us more as your new life unfolds.

I have an ap on my iPhone that has hundreds of bird calls. I found out about it while camping with a friend. She had one on her phone and turned it on after I remarked how there were very few birds besides crows in the campground we were at. I was amazed at how many new birds it drew.

I enjoy using it just to see who’s around! LOL

I remember the wind in Texas. It was so strong I couldn’t open the door to my truck. They closed I40 for a while–I stayed where I was because I don’t like towing in the wind, either. I got so used to the noise that I thought something was wrong with my hearing when it finally stopped. Pats to Spike and Bridget.

I have bird songs loaded on my iPod and can listen with ear phones. One must be careful about playing bird songs aloud once mating season starts because it confuses them; it may waste their energy on fighting a virtual foe for territory and a female. Birds are fascinating and found everywhere you go…that’s why I’m a birder!

It’s windy, rainy and cold here in Michigan … we were in Arizona last week and boy do I miss the “abundant sunshine” that was in the forecast each day we were there. I also enjoy your pictures. They remind me of our time there. Good times.

We have some mild desert winds here too along the So Cal coast. Nice 72 degrees and heading to the beach for a walk with the dog.
Glad that everything is working well for you, Sue.
Tell Spike and Bridget hello from Diego!
Chris

You may have mentioned it before but I can’t find it. How do you get TV reception? Wife loves Judge Judy and The Doctors. What setup do you use, type of antenna and anything else that willo help get some channels whereever we are camping. Thanks

Howdy sue & crew,
See what you got started, now they all want to be rv sues!! Be proud that itz just ‘wind’ & not WIND!! Some of that WIND will peel the paint off’n your PTV!!! Your pics & descriptions make a
wonderful escape to the desert longing!!! Enjoy it and stay safe.. Don’t let Spike get you in any trouble!!

No way I’d want to move today. Have sequestered in the sun at my computer with a constant rocking from that chilly wind. Maybe tomorrow I’ll make it out for propane. Do you know if North Ranch sells to a non-escape?

I think that bed for Spikey was a great investment. We have two Shitzus (Scooter (Age 11) and Buddy (Age 4) and several beds. We even bought Dog Pedic cushions that Montel Williams used to peddle. The only enjoyment Buddy seems to get from the beds is pulling the stuffing out of the one that his sister, Scooter likes to sleep in. It happens several times a week. I actually caught him in the act the other day. He wasn’t even remorseful! He just looked at me and seemed to be saying “Whaaat?”
Can’t wait til we get our RV out of storage at the end of April. Since hubby owns his own business we can’t go full time yet. Looking forward to a lot of long weekends the summer. There are 10,000 lakes in this state. I would love to be parked near one of them enjoying a warm breeze. We are still getting snow here but Spring is just around the corner.
Looking forward to seeing your next sunny camp site.

Part of camping and fulltiming is being flexible with your plans, I see. And really, what does it matter if you’re here or there? You’re cozy, have doggie company, and things to do, right Sue?

It gets windy here in Texas too! Today is 32C (what’s that in F?), sunny, and humid. It’ll be a pool day later when the crowd is gone since we’re still working hard moving to WREN and cleaning ROSIE. 2 1/2 days and counting…

I put the leaf lettuce, spinach, escarole, endive — whatever — in a bowl of water to wash and I let it soak there for a few minutes. (Cut the leaves off from the bottom part before doing this.) Then, without drying it off, I put it all in a heavy duty freezer bag, seal it, and place it in the fridge. It gets crisp and stays fresher longer that way. Whatever veggies I’m going to use in my salads, such as cukes or squash, I wash and also include in the bag, to save space and because it’s handier that way. Tomatoes, of course, don’t go in the bag — makes them tasteless.

Hey Sue,
Been wondering how you’re doing in the winds. Up in the 4 corners we’ve had gusts in the 50+ mph, and snow, of course!
Can’t wait for my May trip to the east coast.
Glad it’s sunny and warm inside.
My salad greens storage is to wash, drain, and wrap in paper towels to take up the excess moisture.
Give Spike and Bridget a scratch for me.Working on getting a new Keeshond pup for my “co-pilot”
Take care

I’m thinking the key is for the greens to soak up a lot of water first, since that’s what makes them not limp. Maybe the freezer bag acts something like a crisper in a regular fridge. (My fridge doesn’t have a crisper.) When I take some greens out of the bag, there’s a pool of water in the bottom.

Sue I just started reading blogs recently and love yours! You cracked me up with your comment about to much wind making a scrambled egg! I thought I wanted an egg (Casita) but then I sat in one for 10 minutes and decided It was to small for me. I’m still looking for my first RV. I’m not sure where you are boondocking, but it looks wonderful to me! Have fun! Julie

Welcome to my blog . . . I’m camping near a small town called Congress which is about 60 miles northwest of Phoenix. It’s a good thing you realized the Casitas are too small for you before you bought one. Everyone is different. Although I think it’s perfect, another person might be miserable in one.

See now, I’m seriously considering buying a Casita! People are different. For ‘me,’ the small compact Travel Trailers are ideal for towing, they are very light weight and just over all better. You don’t have to purchase a 1/2 ton truck to tow it, and so forth. I’d probably go with the Cargo Van myself because I don’t need all the seats. I could use the room for a nice battery bank maybe. I also plan on getting a solar panel. 🙂

It all depends on individual needs. I was going to get a 21 foot Trailer until I saw these on line. I was looking for something smaller, and ‘voila.’ I only need my lap top and a small tv! I do enjoy cooking but I don’t have to cook every day, I too like to keep it simple.

I emailed the Casita Dealer today and gave them my phone number and address, as they requested at their website. I don’t see a Casita dealer here in Arizona. I’ve looked on line, unless I’ve missed something! After all, I am new at this and still absorbing all of this wonderful information. Thanks for any tips on the Casita Sue. “Cheers.” “Hey” to
the crew!

P.S. My escrow closes March 22nd. So, I’m glad I found the Casita Dealer on line, and your weblink before I made any decisions on Trailers. I’ve never even heard of Casitas until I saw the one you have! I really like it. I’ve seen their showroom on line. Nice.

I had to smile reading your rationale for choosing a Casita . . . My thoughts exactly! Once you decide on a Casita, the next important decision is the model. A lot of folks love the dinette across from the kitchen which is the Spirit. I prefer the Liberty . . . There’s more flexibility in how you arrange your living area, important for a person fulltiming. The Spirit’s dinette appeals to couples. For me the opposite seat would be wasted space, just the place Spike would try to jump up on when I’m trying to eat!

Casita doesn’t use dealers. You buy direct from the factory if buying new. They will give you the name of a Casita owner near you who has agreed to show their trailer to anyone interested in buying. I bought mine without ever seeing a real one. I knew from the brochure what I wanted and that it was right!

I love small for another reason . . . I can clean my entire house, including washing the floor in about a half-hour!

Thanks so much for the information! You’re so right, I liked the Spirit! LOL… But I also like the Liberty. I will definitely take your advice on the use of space. I thought it was adorable. I want to buy new, yes. May I ask, how long did it take you to receive yours once you ordered it? Thanks Sue…

I ordered it right before Thanksgiving and was told it would be ready in April, if my memory serves me. When March came, it was ready but I wasn’t! My house didn’t sell until August. Two days after the closing I headed westward . . .

Hi Sue:
Nice to see Spike likes his new bed. Kind of like wind myself but not when it blows sand and dirt in one’s face and gets into all the cracks and crevices of one’s abode but that is mild compared to what the midwest is getting these past few days, EF 4 tornado in southern Illinois, TN, KY, AL, etc.
AL and Kelly were all bundled up at their new camp site at North Ranch so you were smart to stay put. Nice hot showers up there though.

Hi Sue, As always I enjoyed reading your blog. I rode out the Tornado here in West Liberty,Ky last Friday. I rode it out in the bathroom while it destroyed the whole house around me. 8 people lost their lives here so of course i am lucky. Everybody visiting here saids that its the worse they”ve ever seen? Cnn,etc,,,I”m just happy to be alive. The house is destroyed and the friends I am staying with just got power back today.Funny how water and electric don”t seem important till they”re gone.,,,HoboJoe

Meet the canine crew!

Roger (left) and Reggie (right)

What is the BLT?

The BLT is what I consider the Best Little Trailer, a 2011 17-foot Casita Liberty Deluxe which was the full-time home for me and my crew from August 2011 to May 2018.

What is the PTV?

The PTV is the Perfect Tow Vehicle. It's a 2005 Chevy Express Van with a V-8, 5.3 liter engine and equipped with a 200-watt solar panel on the roof and two AGM batteries inside.

What is a blogorino?

A blogorino is a reader who opens up the comment section of this blog and writes a message. Blogorinos are kind and friendly and fun to know!